The sacked secretary-general of the Election Commission (EC) has vowed to take the EC to court over his dismissal if his appeal to the EC to reconsider falls on deaf ears.
Puchong Nutrawong insists he was treated unfairly in his most recent performance appraisal. The EC board said on Tuesday he had failed the test, so it ended his contract. The contract termination was announced the same day and took effect immediately. Mr Puchong said he would first submit his appeal with the EC, but if the EC stands by its decision, he would move on to petition the Administrative Court.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said Wednesday if Mr Puchong wants to petition the government, he could lodge a formal complaint. He spoke at a function at the Government Complex in Chaeng Wattana Road without stopping to speak to Mr Puchong, who asked him to intervene.
Mr Puchong said he failed to complete some projects because the EC itself ordered they be suspended. He said it was evidence of a desperate attempt to remove him. He was not allowed to defend himself even after the EC invited other parties to comment on his performance.
He said he refused to follow certain instructions which he believed were morally incorrect such as an assignment to procure published copies of the previous draft charter that had been voted down. Mr Puchong declined to elaborate on his claim. However, he urged the public to keep a close watch on the printing of the new draft charter if it is passed.
When he was EC secretary-general he was supposed to have the authority to direct the EC's office, but in reality, his deputy and the EC board took over his authority, he said.
In approving overseas study trips, for instance, not only did the EC approve its own proposals to travel abroad up to 15 times in the past year, but those members also had five to 10 more people or assistants to join their trips even though only one or two were allowed. That proved expensive, he said. Employment regulations also were altered to allow each EC member to hire one adviser, two specialists and one secretary, he said.
Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) deputy chairman Apichart Sukhakhanont, a former EC chairman, said he had worked with Mr Puchong and thought he was a good colleague.